Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 3

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Identify five common diseases in Ghana.
• Explain their causes, symptoms, and prevention.
• Demonstrate first aid knowledge for related injuries.
• Understand the role of health education.

Lesson summary

As active young adults, whether you are playing football on the school park, helping with chores at home, or participating in our vibrant Inter-Schools competitions, the risk of physical injury is always present. While we often discuss diseases like malaria or typhoid, physical injuries are among the most common health challenges we face daily. Knowing how to prevent these injuries and what to do in the first few critical moments after one occurs (First Aid) is not just an academic skill—it is a life-saving skill that can help your friends, family, and even yourself. This lesson moves beyond theory to give you the practical, hands-on ability to manage common injuries effectively and safely.

Lesson notes

This section breaks down the essential knowledge you need. We will focus on what an injury is, how to prevent it, and how to manage it when it happens. A. What is an Injury? An injury is damage to the body caused by an external force. In Physical Education, we often classify them into two main types: Acute Injuries: These happen suddenly. For example, twisting your ankle while playing ampe, or getting a cut from a fall. Chronic Injuries (or Overuse Injuries): These develop over time from repeating a motion. For example, a long-distance runner might develop shin splints from constant stress on their legs. B. Common Types of Injuries in Sports and Daily Life Soft Tissue Injuries: These affect muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Sprain: A stretch or tear of a ligament (the tissue that connects bones at a joint). A common example is a sprained ankle or wrist. It often causes swelling and pain. Strain: A stretch or tear of a muscle or tendon (the tissue that connects muscle to bone). This is often called a "pulled muscle." A hamstring strain is common in sprinters. Bruise (Contusion): Caused by a direct impact, like getting hit by a football, which damages blood vessels under the skin, leading to discoloration ("black and blue"). Hard Tissue Injuries: These affect bones. Fracture: A break or crack in a bone. This can be a simple crack or a complete break. A fracture is a serious injury requiring immediate medical attention. Dislocation: When a bone is forced out of its normal position in a joint. For example, a dislocated shoulder. Open Wounds (Cuts and Abrasions): Abrasion (or Graze): A scrape where the skin is rubbed off, like falling on a rough concrete surface (e.g., a basketball court). Laceration (or Cut): A tear in the skin that can be deep and may bleed heavily. C. Principles of Injury Prevention

"Prevention is better than cure." Preventing an injury is always the best approach. Here are the key principles: Warm-up: Always begin exercise with a 5-10 minute warm-up. This includes light jogging, jumping jacks, and dynamic stretches (like leg swings). This increases blood flow to the muscles, making them more flexible and less likely to tear. Cool-down: End every session with a 5-10 minute cool-down. This involves slow walking or jogging and static stretches (holding a stretch for 20-30 seconds). It helps the body gradually return to its resting state and helps remove waste products like lactic acid from the muscles. Proper Technique: Learn and use the correct form for any activity. Whether it's how you tackle in football, land from a jump in volleyball, or lift a heavy object at home, correct technique reduces stress on your body. Appropriate Equipment: Use the right gear. This includes wearing proper footwear ("boots" for football, not "chalewote"), shin guards, and any other protective equipment. Ensure the equipment is in good condition. Hydration & Nutrition: Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercise. Dehydration can cause muscle cramps and fatigue, increasing injury risk. Eating a balanced diet gives your body the fuel and nutrients needed for performance and recovery. Rest & Recovery: Your body repairs itself and gets stronger during rest. Avoid overtraining and ensure you get enough sleep. If a part of your body hurts, give it time to heal. D. Injury Management: The R.I.C.E.R. Protocol

For soft tissue injuries like sprains and strains, the most important first aid response can be remembered with the acronym R.I.C.E.R. R - Rest: What: Stop the activity immediately. Help the person sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Why: Continuing to move can make the injury much worse. Rest protects the injured area from further damage. I - Ice: What: Apply a cold pack to the injured area for 15-20 minutes every 2 hours for the first 48-72 hours. Important: Never place ice directly on the skin. Wrap it in a thin towel or cloth. In our context, a bag of frozen sachet water wrapped in a t-shirt works perfectly. Why: Ice constricts the blood vessels, which helps to reduce bleeding, swelling, pain, and inflammation in the injured area. C - Compression: What: Apply a firm, elastic compression bandage over the injured area. Start wrapping from the point furthest from the heart. For an ankle, start at the toes and wrap upwards. It should be firm, but not so tight that it cuts off circulation (signs of this are numbness, tingling, or increased pain). Why: Compression helps to reduce swelling by limiting the space available for fluid to accumulate. E - Elevation: What: Raise the injured limb above the level of the heart as much as possible. For an injured leg, the person should lie down and place their leg on a stack of pillows or a chair. Why: Gravity helps to drain excess fluid away from the site of the injury, which further reduces swelling. R - Referral: What: Refer the injured person to a qualified professional. This could be the school nurse, a doctor at a local clinic or CHPS compound, or a physiotherapist. Why: First aid is temporary care. A professional needs to diagnose the extent of the injury and provide a proper treatment plan. For serious injuries like a suspected fracture, this is an emergency.

Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Evaluation guide

• Applying the modalities of injury prevention and management in a practical
• lesson.
• Demonstrative – Learning:
• Learners individually demonstrate the various ways of managing injuries.